Tractor hitch



W. S. GRAHAM TRACTOR HITCH March 20, 1928.

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Filed A112. 6, 1926*" Patented Mer. 20, 1938.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. GRAHAD, OF CNTON, ELLNOIS, ASSZGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL HAR- VESTER CGMPANY, A. CRORA'EIGN GF NEW JERSEY.

TRACTOR HITCH.

Application led August 6, 1926. Serial No. 127,545.

This invention relates to means for cou- Y certain types of ilaria implements to ali't vehicle or tractor. The principal .lose o t the invention is to provide a. e form oi draft coupling or hitch construction that will permit connection of a wheel supported implement with the rear oi a. tractor in a manner to eiiiciently transmiU th., draft and also give an arrangement having the iiiccessary flexibility for short turns of the tractor and in'iplenient. Further objects are7 to provide a hitch aiording ample space between the tractor and the at tached implement and that will avoid foulr between the implement and tractor e 7s on short-turns and support the hitch Leers so that they will remain in operative position when not subject to the pull of the tractor'. Minor objects will become apparent as the speciiic description of the structure illustrating' a preferred embodiment or the invention is read.

.li ncrring to the draufings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a multiple row planter coupled to the rear of a tractor b.y structure embodying the novel features oit the invention, parts of the tractor axle being broken away to show underlying pai s; and

nig. is a detail side view on line 2-2 oi Fig. 1 showing certain parts of the hitch on an enlarged scale.

The preferred construction is herein disclosed in connection with the rear portion and axle structure of a tractor which is supported on traction wheels 11. The tracto et' the wide tread arched rear aisle w Between the rear Wheels of the tractor there is mounted a horizontally positioned arched or U-shaped bar 12 the arch Tiortion oit which extends rearwardly of the wheels and arms et which extend forwardly within the arch ot the tractor axle and are ported at their ends on pintles 13 ou the inner sides of the axle structure. Supporting rods 14 connect the axle structure oit thc tractor with the arched bar 12 and hold it in desired position the points of connection between these rods and the arched bar beingr on the inner ends of the arms oi the arch where they join the bight portion or cross piece of the arch. The forward ends o1 the arms et bar 12 are connected by a transverse draft bar 15 at the middle of which there is pivoted at 15 a draft linlr 16 t y composed of twin bars spaced .i tieren-ly to enclose the cross bar 15 and rca bar 12 on which it rests, as shown by ig. 2. freiferably, a suitable spacing bolt .nd sleeve 17 is provided at the middle of the tirait linlr 16. The rear end ot' link 16 a clevis 18. and projects beyond the al or" bar 12 so that its end moves through ai. arc substantially as long as the space between the tractor wheels.

The hitch structure above described is particularly adapted for use in combination with farm implements of the class having Wheel supported frames and which are equipped with iorward supporting means having' a draft trame designed to cooperate with the-draft gear just described. In the present instance the implement shown con slsts of two tworow planters of well known type which have been connected to form a unit by means of a transverse beam 19 at the rear which is secured to the rear ends of longitudinal beams 20 on each oit the planters. "Preferably, the axles of the planters are joined at their inner ends by a universal joint 21 and the inner wheel of one of the planters is eliminated. The draft frame for the united planters consists ot a transverse beam or member 22 connecting the front ends of the planter frames, long' forwardly converging tongue bars 23 secured at their rear ends to the beam 22 and to each of the planter frames, and stub poles 24 repiacing the usual tongues and supported at their forward ends on caster Wheels 25. The united forward ends of the tongue bars 23 provided with means such as a hook 26 'for engaging the clevis 18.

The organization described affords a draft connection havingv two longitudinally aligned vertical pivotal points. that at 15a and that :it the clcvis if?, and one in which part ol the connecting elements, link 1b andbar 12 on which it moves are so .supported :is to have no free vertical movement. The relaive positions of the pivots are such that the lractor may turn at right angles to the iniplement being` drawn, as indicated in dotted lines on Fig. 1, and do so without :fouling the implement or any part oit the draft rigging' as the implement is brought suliciently to the rear of' the tractor by the links 23 to obviate contact and as the lower ends of `:ods let operate as stops to prevent excessive movement et link 16. On a short turn the casters 25 supporting the forward positions of the implement permit easy trailing.

The novel structure described is capable of certain modifications without departure from the gist of the invention as defined in the following claims.

lVhat is claimed as new is:

l. A draft device comprising the combination with a tractor of a horizontally positioned arched member comprising a fiat bar having parallel arms connected to the tractor on horizontal pintles and its arch extending back of the tractor wheels, supporting' links connecting the arched member with the tractor at desired elevation, a longitudinally extending` draft link supported intermediate its ends on said arch for lateral movement limited by said supporting` links7 and pivotal supporting' means for the draft link located midway between the arms of said arched member.

2. A draft device comprising the combination with a tractor of a horizontally positioned arched member having parallel arms connected to the tractor on horizontal pintles and its arch extending back of the tractor wheels, suspension means for supporting said member, a cross-bar connecting the ends of said arms, a draft link pivoted on the cross-bar midway between the arms for lat- Locarno eral movement and resting on the arch of the arched member, and stops on opposite side. of said arch limiting the range of movement of the draft link.

3. In draft gear for connecting a tractor and Vehicle, the combination of a horizontally positioned rearwardly extending frame mounted on the tractor, a longitudinally eX- tendiingl laterally swingable draft link snpported between its ends on said frame,a rigid forwardly extendingdraft frame cured to the vehicle and pivotally connected to said link, a cross-member on the draft frame, and a caster wheel support for said cross-member having' bearing means projected in advance of said member.

Ll. A tractor hitch comprising; a U-shapcd member having;r parallel arms adapted for attachment to a tractor on horizontally extending bearings, a draft link extending across the bight portion of said member and freely movable thereon, said link comprisingr spaced bars enclosingr said portion of the U-bar, and a cross-bar connecting the ends of the U-bar arms and to which the forward end of said draft link is pivoted at a point midway between said arms.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM S. GRAHAM. 

